Twelve days of Christmas, two Regency love affairs, one scandalous house party!

A Governess for Christmas by Marguerite Kaye

At the glittering Brockmore house party, former army major Drummond MacIntosh meets governess in disgrace Joanna Forsythe, who’s desperate to clear her name. Both are eager to put their pasts behind them, but their scandalous affair will make for a very different future…

Dancing with the Dukes Heir by Bronwyn Scott

Heir to a dukedom, Vale Penrith does not want a wife – and certainly not one like Lady Viola Hawthorne. So why does London’s ‘Shocking Beauty’ tempt him beyond reason? Does he dare try and tame her?

Or is a Christmas seduction the best way to bring her to Surrender…?

This is a charming, feel good season treat that I did hugely enjoy, in each of the stories you can get a real sense of each of the individual authors writing style. I have read and hugely enjoyed Ms Scott’s work and I was really looking forward to reading her collaboration with Ms Kaye, whom I haven’t had the privilege of reading before now, but judging by this I will be reading more from her.

Each story is strong, and rich in Christmas cheer, the characters are well-defined – even those that I didn’t like were strong, the two stories separately are warming and charming and once put together and you see the different characters moving from one story to the next it really comes alive. I do really like that concept, of two completely different stories that are linked by the characters that move about so seamlessly through the two stories, it really is as though you are at the Brockmore house party and you are seeing all these shenanigan’s going on. I really like how seamlessly the characters jump from on story to the next, the two stories complement one and other.

I do have to say for me the thing I didn’t like was a particular heiress, who I found extremely irritating and personally I’m not sure what such good man like Vale Penrith sees in her, she is a petulant and spoiled little miss who is childish and from the moment we met her; showing of as usual, I’m afraid I did take an instant dislike to her. I do think that Viola did let this book down ever so slightly, and she really didn’t deserve a quiet, intellectual man like Vale Penrith fawning over her. It’s a charming and feel good book with two highly likable and entertaining stories.

Very much recommended!

This was a complimentary ARC copy via the authors in exchange for an honest review.

When an ill-fated affair left Beatrice Penrose with more than just memories, she fled to Scotland to raise her son away from society’s eyes. But the past catches up with her…and Preston Worth is impossible to deny when he’s sent to bring her home.

Preston has known Bea since childhood, but only now does a forbidden and unexpected desire spark between them. And when Beatrice’s and her baby’s lives are threatened, he makes her an offer of protection she can’t refuse…as his wife!

My View

The last in the “Wallflowers​ to Wives” Series doesn’t disappoint, for the last three books it has been building up to this beautiful and thrilling finish.

Beatrice ran away to Scotland on finding out she was pregnant, she sets up herself in a little cottage in a village where everyone knows each other, for the first time in her life she is finally at ease and free to do as she wishes. No parents to rule over her, no husband to make demands of her; free to raise Matthew as she wishes.

But, Bea is living day-to-day in fear, she is afraid that her son Matthew will be taken away from her – as was done in the time – or if she re-enters society that her precious son will be ostracized, she can bear scorn for herself but not for her innocent baby. Her biggest fear though is that Matthews father will find out about him either force her into marriage or take Matthew away from her, neither option is good for Bea.

She could face the shame for herself. There were other fears, bigger fears. ‘I won’t let them take my son,’ Beatrice said with quiet force. This was the real fear….

So when her childhood friend Preston Worth turns up at her little cottage, she thinks the worse and her fears are confirmed when Preston gives her the ultimatum that her parents have given her; go home and do as she is told or be cut off and end up destitute. She has no choice, but to return.

Preston only took on the task of collecting Bea because her parents said if he didn’t do the horrible deed of dragging their daughter home, then they would find someone who would. Well, Preston isn’t going let a stranger go anywhere near Beatrice and her baby, so he accepts the job. What he finds when he gets there blows his mind, she isn’t what he expects her to be like. She has grown into this beautiful, mature and sensual woman.

He wanted to hold them both close and know they were safe. “And Matthew? He’s all right?”“He’s hungry”“of course he is. ’ Preston smiled. He drew Beatrice close. ‘Thank God.’ Those two words encompassed everything he was feeling; Thank God his throw had been good….

Beatrice and Preston area match made in heaven, once you get past the animosity between them, both Stubborn, highly opinionated and both think that what they say is right and everyone else is wrong. Both highly loyal and protective.

Beatrice is a lioness, like any mother protecting their young, she will fight to the death to protect her cub and everyone, especially Preston better watch their backs. I really like Bea, she is strong and resilient young women.

Preston has held a candle for Bea since childhood and on seeing her again, as a mother he has fallen head over heels for her. He is amazed at what magnificent woman she has become, and he vows that no one is going to harm this woman.

He is a complex man, after being wounded while on a missions, he has turned into a sort of loner or recluse. He prefers to be alone but he also knows that he has to do his aristocratic duty by marrying and producing an Heir but he is very reluctant to-do either, until he sets eyes on Bea. When that is actually his first thought, at how amazing it would be to live this life with her.

One of the things I really like about this, is how Scott put Bea’s situation in as the main plot, this highlights just how dismally unmarried, single mothers were treated in the era. How just because they didn’t have a husband that they were threatened of having their children taken away and manipulated into marriage just so that the family looks good. I think Scott has got Bea’s predicament spot on as well as her fiery personality. Scott has shown just how much of a struggle these incredible women had to go through just to live day-to-day. I have so much respect for Beatrice she faces the stigma of being classed as a fallen women with grace and aplomb, she is a feisty heroine and one I really like.

Preston adjusted his hold on the infant, starting to feel more confident. He looked down at the little face looking back at him and grinned. “I think he smiled at me. I think he likes me.’ It was such a small thing and yet it pleased him extraordinarily and ridiculously…

Preston really comes into his own in this, he grows into a man right before your eyes. From a carefree, reclusive agent to a seriously kind and responsible man, who is mature enough not to scorn and be embarrassed when he sees a woman breast feeding her child. The way he treats Matthew is truly beautiful, the way he takes him on as his own is marvellous, and just shows how great a man he is.

Even the baddie is a great character is a real stinker and Scott has him spot on. He a typical aristocratic maniac who acts like butter wouldn’t melt, he s a pompous ass and in my view a proper fruit loop.

This has been a great series, this is such a great way to say good-bye to these four couples we have seen them through so many hardships and watched them transform from naive Wallflowers to strong woman and it is marvellous.

Aristocrat’s daughter May Worth is beautiful, headstrong…and in trouble. There’s only one man who can protect her: Liam Casek, her brother’s best friend, a government agent and the man whose sinfully seductive touch she’s never forgotten.

Rakish Liam always knew May’s wild beauty would be the death of him, but if he’s to protect her with his life, he’s damned if he’ll deny their still-sizzling chemistry! May is everything Liam wants–if only he dares claim this defiant miss for his own.

Brief Preview

Liam and his friend and brother agent; Preston are ambushed on the road by brutal men who will do anything in their power to retrieve what Preston has stolen from them; Letters that prove their leader; Cabot Roan is a traitor. Liam and Preston managed to escape only for Preston, in his severely wounded state to admit that on stealing these documents he sent them to his sister, May and now she needs protection. Which means that as Preston is wounded it’s up to Liam to go to Scotland and protect his best friend’s sister from the sinister Roan. The very woman who just happens to be the last person on earth Liam would like to get tangled with, but he is a dutiful man and he has made a promise.

May is hiding away in Scotland with her pregnant friend; Beatrice, but she is also harbouring her own personal secret and reason why she would rather stay in the Highland’s. First off May and Beatrice are scared in case Beatrice’s family should find them and come to take the baby away, May will do anything in her power to protect both her friend and the baby. Which does include carrying a gun wherever she goes. May is also hiding out away from her pushy parents who insist it’s time for her to marry, but that is the last thing May wants. She gave her heart to a man years before only to have it broken and she has never healed from that, so she would rather stay as far away from men as possible.

All is working out OK until on returning home from the market one day she finds one Liam Casek; the very rogue who broke her heart, sitting in her living room and bringing her news that turns her life up side down.

My View

Oh, my word! What an opening scene, it’s like something out of an episode of Sharpe. Our handsome agents are bloodied and fleeing from some really nasty pieces of work who are out for blood, and from that point onwards to the very last page it is exciting. Scott grabs you from the first paragraph and keeps you interested from that point right up until the last word.

‘She slanted him a coy glance that spoke of trouble, her eyes starting to sparkle again . “No, it isn’t.’ May stood on her tip toes, twining her arms about his neck. ‘This is.”“May, what are you doing?’ But he knew. His hands were already at her waist as if they had always belonged there. “A girl only gets one first kiss and I’ve decided, Liam Casek, mine should be with you…”

I have always liked more real characters, characters who have made a life for themselves, characters who aren’t afraid of hard work and Liam is well and truly a self-made man. Born in the gutter he grew up in the worst parts of London, learning his sneaky ways as a pick pocket and afterwards taking on any and every job he could just to survive. He eventually pulled himself out of that hell hole life and joined the army where is was a field surgeon, going on to become the cunning, charming and seductive man he is now. And what a delicious man he is.

Liam is your typical charming Irishman, full of self-confidence and cheekiness. He is extremely protective; especially where May is concerned, Liam is your typical military man; honourable, duty bound and intelligent. He knows his way around field surgery as well as child-birth, a very useful man to have on hand. He really is an extraordinary human being.

But yet he is a flawed man too, he and May parted on very icy terms they did break each others heart and as much as he likes to act the tough, Military man that he is, he is scarred from what happened between them. He has always held a candle for her, evening his darkest days it was the thought of her that hot him through, but yet actually seeing her after years sends him into a spin. He is hooked by her, even though she does greet him with a gun pointed at him, he loves that about her.

‘Blue Irish eyes that sparkled in the face of danger— she didn’t know many men who would take a pistol aimed at them sitting down— untrimmed hair falling over his shoulders in a tangle of dark waves that rebelled against any attempt at convention, a body that dwarfed anything in a room. Tall and lean, Liam Casek had always known how to take up space….’

Because of Liam’s low birth and even lower childhood, especially with how he grew up, Liam clearly believes that he isn’t good enough for May, when in reality he is the cream of the crop. Give me a hardworking, down to earth and intelligent man any day. He is worth a hundred of the snobs who would disrespect him, he really is the salt of the earth.

May is really my kind of heroine, she is the epitome of independent woman and her tenacity and vigour is very endearing. She has a great spirit and very pure and loving heart. Yes, it might have hardened over the years, thanks to a certain blue-eyed Irishman, but when it come to her friends no other woman can openly love like she does.

I can absolutely relate to May, her vibrant personality and character, even her flaws actually remind me of my self. I can see so much of my own character in May which is something that I have never really experienced with characters before. Like all readers you can relate certain characters, but I see myself in May and this is what makes her a seriously intriguing character to me.

She is so stubborn, very outspoken and brutally honest. She has to have things done her own way and if it’s not then, obviously it’s wrong. She is definitely a feminist, after all who needs a man to open a door for you when you can do it yourself? She so self-reliant. I particularly love how she pushes her independence into Liam’s face at every chance, even when doing the household tasks like; laundry, cooking and cleaning, she wants him to know that his hurtful words all those years ago didn’t affect her. She isn’t a spoilt, wilting Wallflower, she’s a strong, brave woman.

After five years apart the moment Liam and May step into the same room as one another the tension just bubbles over and you could literally cut the atmosphere with a knife. The sexual tension and mutual attraction is there for all to see, but yet out two are so stubborn they blatantly refuse to accept what is staring them in the face. They are a match made in heaven.

‘Liam reached for her, grabbing her arm, forcing his body to absorb the shock of touching her again after so long.
“This is not the time to be stubborn, May,’ he growled, determined to make her see reason.
Her gaze went to his grip on her arm, her voice sharp. ‘Take your hand off me. I will not allow you to be my gaoler.”
“Not your gaoler, May, your bodyguard . Please, May….’

The brave and courageous military man/agent of the crown combined with the tenacious, sharp-tongued lords daughter, is a feast for the eyes. Their love story is entwined with a darker and thrilling tale.

Have t say that the baddie; Roan is a fascinating man, he may be a traitor and one hell of an evil man but he has a certain arrogant charm that hooks you. The show down between Liam and Roan is an edge of your seat, blink and you’ll miss it scene. Lots of anger and aggression, with our hero going to hell and back to protect those he loves to defeat Roan. It is a like an action movie at the end, with lots of temperamental men fighting for their lives, which builds up to an exhilarating and shocking climax.

I loved book two – Awaking the Shy Miss, featuring; Evie and the delectable Dimitri; Prince of Kuban, but this just shines, it is superb and personally it is what I want from a Historical Romance. Strong resilient heroes, military men. Quirky and head strong heroines. A plot that twists and turns and flows seamlessly from one stage to the next and the dynamics between the characters is thrilling and engaging.

This series is going from strength to strength, and I can’t wait to read the next instalment and one I cannot recommend enough.

Marvellous!

Claiming His Defiant Miss is book three in the “Wallflowers to Wives” Series and is out now and can be purchased at Amazon.

This was a Complimentary copy via the author in exchange for an honest review.

Dimitri Petrovich, Prince of Kuban, is unlike any man seamstress Evie Milham has ever met. Exotic and charismatic, he’s paying a visit to her sleepy country village. Yet one glimpse of the prince’s melting brown eyes and shy Evie’s heart races like never before…

Dimitri is no stranger to desire, and he knows innocent Evie wants him! Before he returns to his homeland, he must decide—resist Evie’s siren call, or give her pleasure beyond her wildest, hottest imaginings!

My View :

Evie Milham loves the rascally Andrew Adair, she has loved him since she was a child and she will whatever she can to finally make him notice her and marry her, the only problem with that is; he barely even knows she exists and another much bigger problem for Evie is that she has gone and caught the attention of the devilishly handsome Dimitri Petrovich; Prince of Kuban. It all sounds simple and innocent enough but that is just to put you off your guard because this is super sexy, brilliantly intelligent and such a feast for the eyes.

Dimitri is leading an archeological dig in Evie’s home village and the moment he set’s eyes on the shy and beautiful Evie he knows that this is the woman for him, she has a razor-sharp mind and wit to goe with it, she is intelligent, caring and so far out of his sphear. They start working alongside each other at his dig and soon find themselves giving into that mutual attraction. Unlike other woman she doesn’t treat Dimitri like a royal she treats him like an equal and this makes Dimitri want her all the more . . .The only issue is that he has to go back to Kuban to be the Prince that he was born to be, but can he leave her?

First off, wow! what a villain we have in Andrew, he is egotistical, smarmy and as slippery as an eel and personally I think Evie needs a to have a sit down with a doctor for wanting this villanous creature, especially when the man that she should be fawning all over is right in front of her, in the form of the delectable Dimitri.

“Please don’t do that.” She couldn’t beat it if he was toying with her. She was enjoying his company far too much, especially after being denied it for a few days. She knew intuitively he was himself in these moments, not the polite faced she’d seen all week.“Do what?” he leaned close, his knuckles skimming her jaw in a light caress for wich there was no other explanation but the improbable.“Act as though you’re seducing me.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. She could hardly believe she’d let that thought escape. Surely he would laugh at her now. But he didn’t laugh.His hand sifted the wet stands of her hair “Maybe it’s not an act. . .”

Oh! How much have I fallen for the Prince of Kuban, he is just such an incredible character, once you have got past his Regal exterior there is a kind, intelligent, loving and sexy man beneath who is just shouting out for a bit of love, for someone to just forget for a minute that he is a Prince and treat him like a man.

The chemistry between Dimitri and Evie is just amazing is just sizzles off the page, every time they are together the atmosphere just crackles with pent-up tension and frustration, from the full-out sexy and erotic scenes in Dimitri’s pavilion to the secret little touches and glances that they share, it is those moment’s that are just beautiful and full of emotion.

“Then don’t be a gentleman. Don’t be a prince. Just be a man. My man.” It was all he really wanted to be in those minutes – just hers – and he could feel logic slipping away, replaced by something headier, stronger and undeniable where doing what he wanted made sense.“I am going to lose this argument, aren’t I?” He could hear the desire in his voice, feel the beginnings of a smile on his lips.“Yes, absolutely.” Evie gave his neckcloth a tug to make it clear. “if you’re lucky, you’ll lose more that.” Yes, he could see that, starting with his clothes and quite possibly ending with his mind.

Awaking the Shy Miss is, I am ashamed to say my first Bronwyn Scott novel, I really cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. It is fast paced and imaginative, the character’s are so well written. From love rivals, plot twists, steamy and sexy scenes that can make your toes curl and by far one of the best villains that I have come across for an age, this has everything that you want from a Historical Romance and I highly recommend it.

This just has to be read and I am looking forward to reading more from this talented lady.

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